Liquid cooler



J. L. HUDSO LIQUID COOLER Filed S p 1956 INVENTOR.

AMES L. HUDSON BY CZzQM/M%%Q A ORNEY.

Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application September 3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for cooling liquids and has particular reference to a device for cooling beer.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character referred to which will automatically maintain an even temperature in the beer or other liquid desired to be cooled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cooling system which is automatic in operation and controllable by the slightest change of temperature which may occur in the liquid to be cooled.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device which is economical to manufacture, easy to install, and simple in operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character referred to which may be effectively used in connection with small domestic refrigerating plants.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device which will insure proper circulation of the liquid bath during the operation of the refrigerating unit so as to eifect a uniform temperature throughout the bath in which is immersed the coils carrying the liquid to be cooled.

In rapidly dispensing beer from the present known beer coolers the water or bath around the coolers warms up rapidly in the immediate vicinity, thereby causing the beer to become warm. It has also been discovered that the so-called dry coolers which are in common use today for cooling liquids are efficient only during continuous operation. If allowed to stand for a short period of time the liquid in the coils becomes warm and in order to withdraw a quantity of cool liquid the warm liquid must first be withdrawn, thereby causing considerable waste.

These disadvantages are obviated with the use of my improved cooling system. Further objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of my system showing the relation of the several elements comprising my combination.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing it will be seen that in the embodiment herein disclosed my device is housed within a suitable liquid tight container 5, which may be made any desirable size and shape. Positioned within the container 5 are a plurality of coils 6, which 2, 1936, Serial No. 99,011

are connected at one end to a liquid reservoir I, (Fig. 2) which may be a beer keg or the like. The coils 6 are tightly wound about perforated cylinders 8 which in turn are preferably press fitted over standard evaporator units 9 (Fig. 2)

which comprises part of a small refrigerating system in which It indicates the liquid line, H in-' dicates the suction line and I2 indicates the compressing and condensing units. I prefer to wind the coils 6 upon the perforated cylinders 8, so that the coils are rigidly supported and at the same time are provided with metal to metal contact, in order that the maximum efliciency may be obtained duringthecooling cycle. The opposite ends of the coils l are connected to faucets l3, in order that the liquid to be cooled may be readily withdrawn.

The cabinet 5 is filled with either a brine or sweet water bath to a depth suflicient to cover the connections to the faucets l3, and in order to provide a constant temperature throughout the bath I propose to introduce an agitator M, which in this instance is a small water driven motor operating a suitable impeller IS. The motor I4 is connected to a water inlet I6 and to a water exhaust line H, which line is preferably heat insulated and is connected to an overflow pipe l8, which in turn is connected to a sewer or other drain connection.

The water motor I4 is controlled by means of a solenoid valve 19 positioned in the water line Hi. The solenoid I9 is connected to an electric circuit 20 which in turn is controlled by a thermostatic control 2| which I prefer to place in the bath preferably in the stream caused by the agitation of the water motor M.

The liquid line lil is provided with the customary expansion valve 23. In addition to the expansion valve 23, which is normally positioned near the evaporators 9, I insert in the line It a secondary valve 24 which is operated by the solenoid 25, which is also positioned in the electric circuit 20. I prefer to position the secondary valve 24 between the expansion valve 23 and the compressor and condenser l2, in order that the flow of the refrigerant may be controlled independent of the operation of the customary expansion valve 23. Although I have illustrated the impeller l6 as being positioned near the bottom of the coils 6, it is within the contemplation of the invention that this agitator may be positioned at any other place within or without the bath so long as the proper agitation of the bath may be effected through its operation.

The operation of my improved cooling system 10 through the line I0, and Water to flow through the line IS, the latter causing the water motor M to become operative to agitate and circulate the bath about the coils. With this combination and arrangement of parts it is obvious that there 15 will be a constant agitation and circulation of the bath around and about the coils at all times when the refrigerating unit is in operation, and at such other times as the temperature of the bath rises to a point suihcient to actuate the ther- 20 mostatic control 2!. It is obvious, therefore, that a liquid cooler employing the principles of my invention will enable the user to dispense a liquid which is uniformly refrigerated regardless of the speed with which the liquid may be drawn 25 through the coils and regardless of the fact that the withdrawal of liquid may be extremely intermittent.

Although I have herein disclosed a certain embodiment of my invention it will be understood 30 that various modifications may be employed without violating the spirit of the invention, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim 35 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cooling system comprising the combination of a container, a liquid bath in said container, an evaporator in said bath, a fluid line communicating with said evaporator and the compressor and condenser of a refrigerating machine, a perforated member about said evaporator, a coil containing a liquid to be cooled about and supported by said perforated member, an agitator in said bath, and thermostaticmeans in said bath arranged to control means for operating said agitator independent of the motor of the refrigerating machine.

2. A liquid cooler comprising the combination of a container, a liquid bath in said container, the evaporator of a refrigerating machine in said bath, a perforated cylindrical member around said evaporator and in contact therewith, a coil containing a liquid to be cooled around and supported by said perforated cylinder and in contact therewith, an agitator in said bath, means independent of the refrigerating machine to perate said agitator, and thermostatic means. in said bath arranged to simultaneously control said last named means and a valve in one of the lines connected to said evaporator.

3. In a liquid cooler, including the evaporator of a refrigerating machine, a coil carrying a liquid to be cooled and a bath, the combination of a perforated heat conductive cylindrical member about, and in contact with, said evaporator and supporting said coil, a hydraulically operated agitator submerged in said bath, a hydraulic connection between said agitator and a source outside said bath, and thermostatic means in said bath for controlling said hydraulic connection.

JAMES L. HUDSON. 

